The sectors with strongest growth were food services and drinking places (+30,000) and temporary help services (+29,000). With additions in these lower-wage sectors, the average wage ticked down a penny, giving back part of last month’s strong 9-cent gain. The best news in the report was that the labor force participation rate ticked up 0.2 percent, the employment rate rose slightly, and the average workweek recovered from a winter decline.

But since the recession, Washington’s policies have increased the barriers to entry, making it more expensive and legally onerous to start up a business. Large established firms have the lawyers and lobbyists to protect themselves, but startups are discouraged from competing with the incumbents. The result is higher profits and lower employment.

Instead of moving to reduce the costs and burdens imposed on potential employers and employees by legislation like Dodd-Frank and Obamacare, the administration has dictated that the beatings will continue until morale improves. In an obviously weak labor market, President Obama is asking Congress to increase the minimum wage to its highest inflation-adjusted level ever. It does not take a great deal of economic acumen to understand how a mandatory increase in the entry-level wage discourages firms from hiring teenagers, the long-term unemployed, and those with the least education and experience.

Don’t have time to read the Washington Post or New York Times? Then get The Morning Bell, an early morning edition of the day’s most important political news, conservative commentary and original reporting from a team committed to following the truth no matter where it leads.

Email address

Ever feel like the only difference between the New York Times and Washington Post is the name? We do. Try the Morning Bell and get the day’s most important news and commentary from a team committed to the truth in formats that respect your time…and your intelligence.